Faculty Development Initiatives & Programs

The Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) offers a variety of workshops, programs, and events to provide professional development opportunities for faculty members and administrators. These programs cultivate scholarly productivity, inform faculty members about the research of their peers, and hone leadership skills, while at the same time providing opportunities of networking and social interaction.

Faculty Productivity Groups

Faculty writing and workshop productivity groups are designed to support faculty members as they write for publication, and by extension, for promotion, tenure, and continuing contribution to scholarship. The program works with faculty members to promote and share strong writing practices and build communities of writers on campus.

Chair Workshops

These workshops provide an opportunity for chairs to discuss issues related to academic leadership, campus affairs and university administration. The informal, conversational-style sessions are designed for department/unit leaders to meet regularly, share resources and hear from other academic administrators on campus.

New Faculty Workshops

These sessions allow new faculty members to learn about university resources, and connect with campus colleagues across disciplines. The programs provide opportunities to access information, services, and programming to assist in career progression.

Working with Graduate Students

Faculty Forums

Addressing issues that the faculty, our campus community, and higher education in general faces, the Forums provide timely information, lively discussion, and relevant resources to navigate life in academia at this moment.

Fearless Unit Leadership

Fearless Unit Leadership prepares academic unit heads (department chairs or their equivalent) at the University of Maryland for inclusive, compassionate, and inspiring leadership. Unit heads profoundly shape the experience of those in their departments and thus the university as a whole.

University of Maryland Emeritus/Emerita Association (UMEAA)

Established in 2017 for emeritus and emerita status faculty members, UMEEA organizes programming to connect and engage with the university, and to support its members involved in academic, educational and social initiatives. Learn more about UMEEA.

Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Development Programs*

Leveraging resources and culling the expertise of its member institutions, the Big Ten Academic Alliance offers professional development opportunities that are highly relevant and effective.

• Academic Leadership Program (ALP): One of the most successful Big Ten Academic Alliance leadership initiatives is the Academic Leadership Program (ALP). Established in 1989, this intensive professional development experience develops the leadership and managerial skills of faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise. Many of the programs nearly 1,000 scholars have gone on to serve with distinction as college presidents, provosts, and deans. Learn more about ALP and view the list of alumni.
• Department Executive Officer Seminars (DEO): Each year approximately 50 department heads and chairs from Big Ten Academic Alliance universities come together for a unique leadership development seminar. Topics at this three-day event range from conflict resolution and time management to faculty development, performance reviews, and group problem solving. Learn more about DEO Seminars and view the list of alumni.

*The Big Ten Academic Alliance also has field and role specific programs. Please check https://www.btaa.org/ for additional information.

Other OFA Sponsored Programs and Events

• Provost’s Academic Leadership Forums
• Appointment, Promotion & Tenure (APT) Workshops
• Professional Track (PTK) Faculty Workshops & Symposium
• Awards and Promotion Workshops